Phytoremediation is a growing sector or the overall field of Bioremediation it uses the natural ability of a large variety of plants to filter chemicals through their root systems and also to aerate the soil and allow microbes to develop. Other approaches to remediating sites can be rather disturbing to the surrounding areas. For example some remediating processes involve the removal of the soil for treatment. Phytoremediation on the other hand involves the planting of trees or shrubs on a site and from that point a low level of monitoring of the site is required.
The Brownfields Success Story video is a good example of why a low impact approach can be beneficial. The aim of that particular site was to turn a rundown plot into a welcoming aesthetics pleasing park. In this case the application of phytoremediation was the best solution. Phytoremediation offers a very green public opinion which was an interesting point made at the end of the video, the possibility of using this green approach can be successfully used politically. The second video is another example of the efficiency of phytoremediation at Fort Jackson, USA. There are many cases around the world where Defence Force bases have been shut down but the sites has become severely contaminated from heavy metals and petroleum during its operation.
Phytoremediation can be applied on a variety of sited which have been effected by an even larger variety of contaminants. For example a study undertaken by the CSIRO in Australia is using River Red Gums on soil and ground water which has been polluted by petroleum. Further imformation on the project can be found at www.clw.csiro.au/research/urban/protection/remediation/projects_2.html
The following link is an example of a very simple phytoremediation project.
The following link is another example of a phytoremediation project in the USA which has shown quite promising at remediating the site at Fort Jackson.
Overall there is a very large potential application for phytoremediation in the overall field of bioremediation. The industry continues to grow and the simplicity and efficiency of the processes involved are guaranteed to keep it as a viable alternative to other remediation approaches.
The Brownfields Success Story video is a good example of why a low impact approach can be beneficial. The aim of that particular site was to turn a rundown plot into a welcoming aesthetics pleasing park. In this case the application of phytoremediation was the best solution. Phytoremediation offers a very green public opinion which was an interesting point made at the end of the video, the possibility of using this green approach can be successfully used politically. The second video is another example of the efficiency of phytoremediation at Fort Jackson, USA. There are many cases around the world where Defence Force bases have been shut down but the sites has become severely contaminated from heavy metals and petroleum during its operation.
Phytoremediation can be applied on a variety of sited which have been effected by an even larger variety of contaminants. For example a study undertaken by the CSIRO in Australia is using River Red Gums on soil and ground water which has been polluted by petroleum. Further imformation on the project can be found at www.clw.csiro.au/research/urban/protection/remediation/projects_2.html
The following link is an example of a very simple phytoremediation project.
The following link is another example of a phytoremediation project in the USA which has shown quite promising at remediating the site at Fort Jackson.
Overall there is a very large potential application for phytoremediation in the overall field of bioremediation. The industry continues to grow and the simplicity and efficiency of the processes involved are guaranteed to keep it as a viable alternative to other remediation approaches.
Alex James